Sunderland man John O'Shea laughs off Spurs link as he enters final year of contract

SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 04: John O'Shea of Sunderland celebrates scoring his goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Sunderland and Chelsea at Stadium of Light on December 4, 2013 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by Matthew Lewis/Getty Images) (Image: Matthew Lewis)

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John O’Shea insists he won’t use speculation about his future to force Sunderland’s hand on a new deal.

O’Shea, 33, was linked with a shock €3.75m move to Tottenham last week.

It was speculated that new Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino was interested in signing an experienced centre-half to replace Michael Dawson.

And after a bid for Ashley Williams was turned down, O’Shea was an alternative candidate.

If those reports seems far fetched even to O’Shea himself, they did highlight the fact that the Ireland veteran has just one year left on his current contract with the Black Cats.

“It was news to myself,” laughed O’Shea of the Spurs link.

“That’s the way it goes at this time of the year, there is lots of stuff rumoured about players coming and going.

“It’s just one of those things. It’s just total speculation.

“I’m in the game long enough to know that and I’m more than happy with Sunderland.”

The Waterford man joined the Black Cats in 2011 after 12 years with Manchester United. He played an influential role in the club’s great escape under Gus Poyet when Premier League relegation looked odds-on,.

Sunderland also got to the Capital One Cup final in May, losing to Man City at Wembley.

So he says he’s in no hurry to leave – but equally he won’t be banging on Poyet’s door to secure a new deal, even if other suitors do appear during the transfer window.

“I definitely want to play on beyond next season,” he told MirrorSport.

“I played around 50 games last season and I‘m fit and well, and long may that continue.

“I’m already looking forward to next season after what was a roller-coaster end to last year.

“But as for my future, that will be down to Sunderland.

“I’ve never forced the issue throughout my career and I’m not about to start now.

“Look, it was great getting to the League Cup final and that was definitely an ambition when I joined Sunderland, to get to a Cup final and obviously to win one.

“It would have been special had we held on that day but unfortunately that brilliant Yaya Toure goal put City back in it before Samir Nasri won it.”

For all of O’Shea’s achievements at Old Trafford – five Premier Leagues, one Champions League, one FA Cup, three League Cups. one FIFA Club World Cup and four Community Shields – he acknowledges that Sunderland’s successful fight to stay up ranks up there with the medals he’s won.

“In a sense, definitely,” said the centre-half.

“When you look at the points tally we had heading into the final fixtures and how tough those last games were that we had to play, it was a fantastic achievement to stay up.

“We were written off but it’s never over until it’s over, as we showed.

“Hopefully we won’t need to come up with such a strong finish next season.”